English translations of Zwei Gedichte von Hermann Hesse , opus 38

by (Carl Theodor) Oskar Ulmer (1883 - 1966)

1. Glück
 (Sung text)
by (Carl Theodor) Oskar Ulmer (1883 - 1966), "Glück", op. 38 (Zwei Gedichte von Hermann Hesse ) no. 1 [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Solang du nach dem Glücke jagst,
Bist du nicht reif zum Glücklichsein
Und wäre alles Liebste dein.

Solang du um Verlornes klagst
Und Ziele hast und rastlos bist,
Weißt du noch nicht, was Friede ist.

Erst wenn du jedem Wunsch entsagst,
Nicht Ziel mehr, noch Begehren kennst,
Das Glück nicht mehr mit Namen nennst,

Dann reicht dir des Geschehens Flut
Nicht mehr ans Herz, und deine Seele ruht.

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Confirmed with Hermann Hesse, Sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von Volker Michels, Band 10 Die Gedichte, bearbeitet von Peter Huber, Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2002, page 164.

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
1. Happiness
Language: English 
If luck you chase, you have not grown
enough for happiness to stay,
not even if you get your way.

If, what you lost, you still bemoan,
and grasp at tasks, and dash and dart,
you have not known true peace at heart.

But if no wishes are your own,
and you don't try to win the game,
and Lady Luck is just a name,

then tides of life won't reach your breast --
and all your strife and all your soul will rest.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2010 by Walter A. Aue, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Walter A. Aue.  Contact: waue (AT) dal (DOT) ca

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This text was added to the website: 2010-03-26
Line count: 11
Word count: 83

Translation © by Walter A. Aue
2. Allein
 (Sung text)
by (Carl Theodor) Oskar Ulmer (1883 - 1966), "Allein", op. 38 (Zwei Gedichte von Hermann Hesse ) no. 2 [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es führen über die Erde 
Straßen und Wege viel,
Aber alle haben 
Dasselbe Ziel.

Du kannst reiten und fahren 
Zu zweien und zu drein,
Den letzten Schritt mußt du
Gehen allein.

Drum ist kein Wissen 
Noch Können so gut,
Als daß man alles Schwere 
Alleine tut.

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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
2. Alone
Language: English 
Across the Earth are leading
many a road and bend,
yet all are speeding
to the selfsame end.

Be you riding or driving
as twosome or three,
the last of your steps
belongs but to thee.

For skill's not as valid,
nor all that is known,
as tackling the difficult
stuff by your own.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2010 by Walter A. Aue, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Walter A. Aue.  Contact: waue (AT) dal (DOT) ca

    If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact:

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2010-03-26
Line count: 12
Word count: 54

Translation © by Walter A. Aue